Leviathan MTG Card
1994-08-01 - Number 30
1995-04-01 - Number 80
1995-04-01 - Number 80
1995-08-01 - Number 36
1997-03-24 - Number 98
2000-10-01 - Number 12
2006-10-06 - Number 23
| Card sets | Released in 7 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 9 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Leviathan |
| Abilities | Trample |
| Power | 10 |
| Toughness | 10 |
Text of card
Trample Leviathan comes into play tapped, and does not untap as normal during your untap phase. Sacrifice two islands during your upkeep phase to untap Leviathan. Leviathan may not attack unless you sacrifice two islands during your attack.
Cards like Leviathan
Diving into the deep seas of MTG, the Leviathan card emerges as a mammoth creature that can make massive waves in gameplay. Its parallels can be drawn with other sea-themed giants such as Kraken of the Straits, a creature that, while smaller in size, imposes formidable restrictions on an opponent’s ability to block. The Leviathan’s sheer power is also mirrored in creatures like Lorthos, the Tidemaker. Although Lorthos brandishes the unique ability to lock down numerous permanents, it doesn’t overshadow Leviathan’s crushing nine points of power.
Islandhome is another trait shared by many of these nautical titans, restricting them to games with an island terrain in play. However, Leviathan’s demand for a sacrifice of two islands to attack might recall the similar though milder conditions found in creatures such as Serpent of Yawning Depths. This beast allows others to attack without hindrance, in stark contrast to Leviathan’s more self-restrictive nature.
Leviathan indeed stands tall as one of the blue faction’s iconic giants, despite its demanding conditions. Its potential to turn the tide in a player’s favor, when the necessary islands are abundant, remains an intimidating presence in the vast ocean of MTG creature cards.
Cards similar to Leviathan by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Leviathan card stands out as a commanding presence that potentially overwhelms the opponent through its sheer size. While it doesn’t inherently draw cards, its formidable nature often necessitates multiple cards from your opponent to be dealt with, indirectly contributing to card advantage as your opponent exhausts resources to handle it.
Resource Acceleration: While this sea monster doesn’t directly accelerate your mana resources, the Leviathan’s presence on the board can dissuade opponents from attacking, effectively buying you time to build up your mana base and deploy additional threats or answers without immediate pressure. In some cases, this can be just as valuable as traditional mana ramping mechanisms.
Instant Speed: Although Leviathan itself is not an instant-speed spell, it often demands instant-speed responses from opponents. This means that by strategically playing the Leviathan, you force opponents to keep mana open and play reactively, potentially disrupting their tempo and allowing you to take advantage of the game at a pace you control.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Playing creatures like Leviathan can be a tactical setback as they may necessitate the player to discard cards, which challenges one’s hand advantage and can strategically cripple the player during the game.
Specific Mana Cost: Leviathan cards with their unique need for specific mana colors can be restrictive, dictating the deck’s overall build and potentially limiting deck variety. Players will need to tailor their mana base specifically to accommodate these towering sea creatures.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: The cost to summon a Leviathan is often substantial, demanding a large sum of mana that could otherwise be used for casting several lower-cost spells. This high investment can affect the tempo of the game and forces the player to adopt a slower, more deliberate strategy.
Reasons to Include Leviathan in Your Collection
Versatility: Leviathan brings an imposing presence to the table that can be suited for large scale, battle-oriented decks. Its massive power and toughness can be a game-ender in formats where you can manage its drawbacks effectively.
Combo Potential: Coupled with cards that untap creatures or allow for multiple attack phases, Leviathan can become a relentless force. Its synergies with island-sacrificing mechanics can also play into numerous Blue-based combos or ramp strategies.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta where big creatures dominate and control the board effectively, having Leviathan in your arsenal could deter opponents from attacking. Its sheer size and the challenge it presents in removing from the battlefield make it a worthy consideration for your collection.
How to beat Leviathan
Confronting a Leviathan in the depths of a Magic: The Gathering match can be a daunting challenge. This colossal card, often characterized by its substantial power and toughness, demands a strategy that can either circumvent its mass or remove it from play directly. The key to triumphing over a Leviathan lies in control and evasion tactics. Utilizing spells or abilities that can exile, bounce, or force a sacrifice can effectively neutralize this behemoth.
One such spell is Path to Exile, a swift and efficient removal that banishes the creature and leaves your opponent one land richer—a fair trade to remove a major threat. Control decks often employ board wipes like Wrath of God, bypassing Leviathan’s size by clearing the entire board. Alternatively, flying and unblockable creatures can glide past the Leviathan, rendering its terrestrial dominance irrelevant. Evasion-oriented strategies, combined with consistent pressure, can keep your opponent on the defensive, even with a Leviathan on their side.
Ultimately, outmaneuvering a Leviathan is about staying one step ahead—whether that’s by direct removal, clever combat interactions, or simply racing your opponent with faster, more agile threats. Each tactic works within the vast strategic landscape of Magic: The Gathering, ensuring you’re prepared to sink even the mightiest sea monster.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Leviathan MTG card by a specific set like The Dark and Fourth Edition, there are several reliable options to consider. One of the primary sources is your local game store, where you can often find booster packs, individual cards, and preconstructed decks from current and some past sets. They often offer the added benefit of a community where you can trade with other players.
For a broader inventory, particularly of older sets, online marketplaces like TCGPlayer, Card Kingdom and Card Market offer extensive selections and allow you to search for cards from specific sets. Larger e-commerce platforms like eBay and Amazon also have listings from various sellers, which can be a good place to look for sealed product and rare finds.
Additionally, Magic’s official site often has a store locator and retailer lists for finding Wizards of the Coast licensed products. Remember to check for authenticity and the condition of the cards when purchasing, especially from individual sellers on larger marketplaces.
Below is a list of some store websites where you can buy the Leviathan and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
See MTG Products
Printings
The Leviathan Magic the Gathering card was released in 7 different sets between 1994-08-01 and 2006-10-06. Illustrated by Mark Tedin.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1994-08-01 | The Dark | DRK | 30 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Mark Tedin | |
| 2 | 1995-04-01 | Fourth Edition | 4ED | 80 | 1993 | Normal | White | Mark Tedin | |
| 3 | 1995-04-01 | Fourth Edition Foreign Black Border | 4BB | 80 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Mark Tedin | |
| 4 | 1995-08-01 | Renaissance | REN | 36 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Mark Tedin | |
| 5 | 1997-03-24 | Fifth Edition | 5ED | 98 | 1997 | Normal | White | Mark Tedin | |
| 6 | 2000-10-01 | Beatdown Box Set | BTD | 12 | 1997 | Normal | White | Mark Tedin | |
| 7 | 2006-10-06 | Time Spiral Timeshifted | TSB | 23 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Mark Tedin |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Leviathan has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Oldschool | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Leviathan card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2004-10-04 | You don’t have to pay the untap cost if it is untapped outside the upkeep phase or is untapped by an effect. |